Headlight modulator

[Deek]

I had one installed today at the dealer. It's a Kisan PathBlazer. It works like most of them, on with the high beams only, off with the low beams. It can also be manually turned off if you are using the highbeams should you elect to do that for some reason. It's always off when the sunlight is not enough to flip its automatic on/off switch.

 

The reason I post this is on the BMW it's different from other motorcycles I've owned. When I have the high beam on, and the modulator is on, the "check bulb forward" icon on the LCD panel flashes with the modulator's flashes. When I flip the headlight switch to the low beams, that icon disappears. I'm posting that just to let others know if you go this route be prepared for the "check bulb" icon. My dealer checked with Kisan to be sure there were not other issues with a BMW application and he was assured all is well.

 

I just had it installed today and if I have any problems with it in the coming miles I'll post here.

 

I know some don't like headlight modulators, but those of us who use them love them.

[bobbybob]

Deek, I've noticed some mods. that seem to vary the intensity between low and high without looking like the light is actually blinking ON & OFF. But some really look almost like high-beam "flashers" which I would find annoying and would not want. I would consider one that truly "modulates" and I'm wondering where yours fits in...? In your opinion. I guess you'll have to turn it on and walk a 1000 ft or so down the road to really see the effect....but exercise is good...right?

[taters]

i have the same modulator on my bike for a year now . no problems.....definately safer

[Couchrocket]

Deek, I've noticed some mods. that seem to vary the intensity between low and high without looking like the light is actually blinking ON & OFF. But some really look almost like high-beam "flashers" which I would find annoying and would not want. I would consider one that truly "modulates" and I'm wondering where yours fits in...? In your opinion. I guess you'll have to turn it on and walk a 1000 ft or so down the road to really see the effect....but exercise is good...right?

 

Yup, annoying is what I want when the left turner in front of me sees me. They may be as annoyed as they please. In fact, the more annoyed the better. Pissed off even... BECASUE they have to SEE me to be annoyed, and that makes me VERY happy and very alive -- at least that one time. All my usual caveats inserted here... I'm not a hopeless, or hapless moron who thinks my headlight modulator is the Starship Enterprise's force field sheild operating at 100%. It is just another tool in the tool box. Good grief.

 

To be leagal the modulation has to fit within government specs. as to relative intensity of cycle and rate of modulation.

 

 

TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION

 

OF TRANSPORTATION

 

PART 571_FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS--Table of Contents

 

Subpart B_Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards

 

Sec. 571.108 Standard No. 108; Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.

 

...

 

S7.9.4 Motorcycle headlamp modulation system.

S7.9.4.1 A headlamp on a motorcycle may be wired to modulate either

the upper beam or the lower beam from its maximum intensity to a lesser

intensity, provided that:

(a) The rate of modulation shall be 240 40

cycles per minute.

(b) The headlamp shall be operated at maximum power for 50 to 70

percent of each cycle.

© The lowest intensity at any test point shall be not less than 17

percent of the maximum intensity measured at the same point.

(d) The modulator switch shall be wired in the power lead of the

beam filament being modulated and not in the ground side of the circuit.

(e) Means shall be provided so that both the lower beam and upper

beam remain operable in the event of a modulator failure.

(f) The system shall include a sensor mounted with the axis of its

sensing element perpendicular to a horizontal plane. Headlamp modulation

shall cease whenever the level of light emitted by a tungsten filament

light operating at 3000[deg] Kelvin is either less than 270 lux (25

foot-candles) of direct light for upward pointing sensors or less than

60 lux (5.6 foot-candles) of reflected light for downward pointing

sensors. The light is measured by a silicon cell type light meter that

is located at the sensor and pointing in the same direction as the

sensor. A Kodak Gray Card (Kodak R-27) is placed at ground level to

simulate the road surface in testing downward pointing sensors.

(g) When tested in accordance with the test profile shown in Figure

9, the voltage drop across the modulator when the lamp is on at all test

conditions for 12 volt systems and 6 volt systems shall not be greater

than .45 volt. The modulator shall meet all the provisions of the

standard after completion of the test profile shown in Figure 9.

(h) Means shall be provided so that both the lower and upper beam

function at design voltage when the headlamp control switch is in either

the lower or upper beam position when the modulator is off.

S7.9.4.2(a) Each motorcycle headlamp modulator not intended as

original equipment, or its container, shall be labeled with the maximum

wattage, and the minimum wattage appropriate for its use. Additionally,

each such modulator shall comply with S7.9.4.1 (a) through (g) when

connected to a headlamp of the maximum rated power and a headlamp of the

minimum rated power, and shall provide means so that the modulated beam

functions at design voltage when the modulator is off.

(b) Instructions, with a diagram, shall be provided for mounting the

light sensor including location on the motorcycle, distance above the

road surface, and orientation with respect to the light.

 

[majordad]

I had a modulator in my 11RT and liked the idea people could see me. I once had someone in Mississippi nearly pull over on a country rode because, I think, he thought I was the police. Yep, I got noticed.

[bobbybob]

Still trying to understand if there are differences in the "amount" of modulation that different models produce--or is Kisan the only game in town? Also, is there any adjustability to the modulation, either built-in, or "rigged " by anyone...?

[ArthurKnowles]

Kisan is not the only game in town. Run thsi search on Google and you can see most, if not all, the brands out there ...

 

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GGIH_enUS271US271&q=headlight+modulator

 

For myself, I prefer Signal Dynamics products and have had great results with them. You should verify that your model motorcycle will have no problems (like dash light issues) by e-mailing them first.

 

http://www.signaldynamics.com/lighting_control.htm

[smiller]

Still trying to understand if there are differences in the "amount" of modulation that different models produce

There is generally not much variation as the legal parameters concerning light output are spelled out in the statute that Scott posted. There are differences in brands in price, ease of installation, and probably quality, but not so much in terms of light output, pulse rate, etc., as in those respects they're all designed to meet the same law.

[bobbybob]

Still trying to understand if there are differences in the "amount" of modulation that different models produce

There is generally not much variation as the legal parameters concerning light output are spelled out in the statute that Scott posted. There are differences in brands in price, ease of installation, and probably quality, but not so much in terms of light output, pulse rate, etc., as in those respects they're all designed to meet the same law.

 

 

Looks like the Signal Dynamics product offers 2 modulation settings--"Min" and "Max". No mention of compatible bike types.

[ArthurKnowles]

Looks like the Signal Dynamics product offers 2 modulation settings--"Min" and "Max". No mention of compatible bike types.

 

They do offer two speeds, I've used them both. But that's why I also suggested you check with them about potential issues. As far as I know, there are none. But as you may have read soem Kisan modulators can cause the ABS lights to flash, or the brake bulb indicator to turn on. Not sure which one it is, and it's more of an annoiance than a problem, but still best to check via e-mail or phone first.

 

I'd put one on my curent BMWs, but both are HID only. I do have one on my daughter's motorcycle and my last one (Concours) had one too.

[bobbybob]

Looks like the Signal Dynamics product offers 2 modulation settings--"Min" and "Max". No mention of compatible bike types.

 

They do offer two speeds, I've used them both. But that's why I also suggested you check with them about potential issues. As far as I know, there are none. But as you may have read soem Kisan modulators can cause the ABS lights to flash, or the brake bulb indicator to turn on. Not sure which one it is, and it's more of an annoiance than a problem, but still best to check via e-mail or phone first.

 

I'd put one on my curent BMWs, but both are HID only. I do have one on my daughter's motorcycle and my last one (Concours) had one too.

 

Arthur, so you are saying that the Min-Max settings refer to the *rate* of modulation and not the intensity? I read it as meaning intensity but maybe I mis-read it. Also, using the horn button to change settings seems odd...I assume when you do that it blows the horn. I would not want that if thats the case. Maybe a dedicated switch could be used to change settings....?

[smiller]

Why would you want to change it anyway? In order to stay within the law any variation allowed wouldn't be much... who cares about a headlight modulator's haircut?

 

[ArthurKnowles]

Arthur, so you are saying that the Min-Max settings refer to the *rate* of modulation and not the intensity? I read it as meaning intensity but maybe I mis-read it.

 

Yes. If I remember corectly, it's about half the speed on high and normal speed on low. I forget the actual flash rate, but I could always go out in the garage and dig up the documentation and look it up.

 

I always preferred the fast flash rate, but some prefer to drive with the high beam on and the lower flash rate. Seemed kind of weird to me, but then again I don't use the high beam in daytime like others do.

 

Also, using the horn button to change settings seems odd...I assume when you do that it blows the horn. I would not want that if thats the case. Maybe a dedicated switch could be used to change settings....?

 

it didn't actually change settings using the horn. If you pressed the horn button it would flash your light. In essence give you both an auditory (horn) and visible (light) warning to the dweeb that is baout to hit you.

 

I personally do not like this option at all and just did not connect the horn wire.

[Deek]

Deek, I've noticed some mods. that seem to vary the intensity between low and high without looking like the light is actually blinking ON & OFF. But some really look almost like high-beam "flashers" which I would find annoying and would not want. I would consider one that truly "modulates" and I'm wondering where yours fits in...? In your opinion. I guess you'll have to turn it on and walk a 1000 ft or so down the road to really see the effect....but exercise is good...right?

 

I think this one is more of the "flasher" variety, but not sure how to verify that.

[Deek]

i have the same modulator on my bike for a year now . no problems.....definately safer

 

Oh YEAH, there is no doubt. I'd not own a motorcycle that didn't have a modulator on the headlight at least. I'd still like to also get one on the brake light. I had them on my previous bikes and like them also.

[Couchrocket]

Still trying to understand if there are differences in the "amount" of modulation that different models produce

There is generally not much variation as the legal parameters concerning light output are spelled out in the statute that Scott posted. There are differences in brands in price, ease of installation, and probably quality, but not so much in terms of light output, pulse rate, etc., as in those respects they're all designed to meet the same law.

 

I cannot speak to the Signal Dynamics brand, but the "adjustability" on the Kisan has nothing to do with rate, or intensity -- it has to do with the sensitivity of the photo receptor that controls the modulation. You can adjust how sensitive it is. On my RT I had the sensitivity turned up in order for the modulator to "stay on" in shaded areas. This was due mainly to where the sensor was mounted. On my new bike, the sensor is mounted in a more "open" position on the dash board and I've left the sensitivity at "normal" since is appears to work fine in various amounts of daylight, yet shuts down just fine right before sunset.

[moshe_levy]

Hello All-

 

The article I wrote for MCN in June 2007 http://www.mklsportster.com/Articles/mcnmodulators.pdf answers part of this. Kisan's design uses a soft-switch which modulates from 17% (off) to 100% (on). The idea here was to eliminate the thermal shock from some older-design units (some still on the market) which hammer the bulb with current from 0% (off) to 100% (on) and consequently reduce bulb life. I do NOT believe you can adjust the soft-switch features on the Kisans. I also believe the error code on the newer Hexheads is due to the modulator's interaction with the CANbus system - no getting around it as far as I know.

 

-MKL

[russell_bynum]

no getting around it as far as I know.

 

I know a way around it.

 

[bobbybob]

no getting around it as far as I know.

 

I know a way around it.

 

 

I think we all know your solution Russell...rip the sucker out--right?

[Deek]

Hello All-

 

.. I also believe the error code on the newer Hexheads is due to the modulator's interaction with the CANbus system - no getting around it as far as I know. ..

-MKL

 

Thanks for posting that. What you said above was what the techs at Kisan told my dealer when they installed the modulator. I have a 2006 RT. I don't even notice the icon error code on the LCD screen too much anymore............

[drzep]

Headlight Modulators Kill!

 

Scientific studies have 'proven' it.